Utah: Two historic coal mining projects approved in Kane and Sevier Counties
The war on coal is over, and the Trump Administration is committed to facilitating much-needed job creation and energy production–Assistant Secretary of the Interior Joe Balash
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the approval of two historic mining projects in Utah – the $12.3 million Alton Coal Tract coal lease in Kane County, Utah, and two coal lease modification proposals for the SUFCO Mine in Sevier County, which will extend the life of the existing mine by up to five years.
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Through the continued approval of coal lease applications and modifications, the Bureau of Land Management has been able to support the success of coal development on federal lands – including the Alton and SUFCO coal mines. Secretarial Order 3348 made these actions possible by overturning the 2016 moratorium on all new coal leases on federal land. The projects approved today will help foster Utah’s continued economic expansion through access to premier natural resources in the most efficient and responsible manner possible.
“American coal jobs matter,” said Acting U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “Coal production on federal lands provides nearly 40 percent of our nation’s coal. By approving these projects today, we will ensure that these mines are operational for years to come, providing well-paying jobs and affordable energy to the people of Utah.”
“The previous administration tried to kill coal production in Utah but this administration is committed to bringing the industry back,” said Senator Mike Lee. “That’s why coal production in Utah increased in 2017 for the first time in three years. These two new coal projects are a huge win for Utah jobs, Utah consumers, and the Utah economy.”
